5 November 2012

Plate Up. Pizza






This little beauty will have you nattering away like a true Italian. Bellisimo! Ciao bella! Mario! Luigi! Ok it’s obviously my Italian is a little restricted and I play too much MarioKart, but what is undeniable is the delicious taste of this pizza! I truly think it is worth making your own dough. You can get it as thick and doughy or as thin and crispy as you like. And it’s fresh!! I also recommend making your own pizza sauce, it’s so easy. Just schedule in an extra 30mins cooking time and you’ll thank me.

What you’ll need
dough:
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2½ cups plain flour
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil

pizza sauce:
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons mixed herbs
2 garlic cloves, crushed
½ teaspoon chilli powder

plus your favourite pizza toppings, I’ve used:
cherry tomatoes
smoked ham
roasted artichokes
mushrooms
cheese

What to do
First make the dough. Combine yeast, salt and sifted flour in a large bowl and gradually stir in combined water and oil. Knead dough on a floured surface for about 10minutes until smooth and elastic (roll in with one hand and squash down with the other). Place dough in a clean bowl that is dusted with flour and cover. Stand in a warm place for about 30minutes or until dough doubles in size.

Whilst your dough is rising, make your pizza sauce. Combine tomato paste, oil, herbs and garlic. Prepare pizza topping ingredients. Preheat oven to 220degrees Celsius.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down with fist and knead again on a floured surface until smooth. Cut dough in half and roll out as preferred, placing on two oiled baking trays.

Coat pizza in pizza sauce and add desired toppings. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle on cheese. Bake in oven for 15minutes or until dough is golden brown.

Photo by Krissie.